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Dead or Alive 3D

Let's Speculate!

E3 this year is sweet! So much new tech being added to the current generation of platforms that some are barely recognisable. Take the 3DS for instance ... all those control interfaces on one tiny little handheld and a sweet new screen. With or without the 3D element, this promises to be the definitive handheld gaming device. I'm afraid my psp will collect even more dust than it is already caked with.

As I expected, there's not really much information around the web, or even a lot of media attention in general, for Dead or Alive 3D. The DoA franchise (I'm talking the actual beat 'em up here) has always been overshadowed by the more popular fighters, despite its hardcore fan following. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Jon: boobies." and to a certain extent, it's true that DoA is about boobies, but you'd be remiss to rule out the unique fighting mechanics that make DoA's gameplay so interesting. Anyway, this article isn't here to convert you into a DoA fan if you're not already one, it's here as my sounding board for what I'm hoping and expecting to see in this handheld itteration of my favourite fighting game.

What we know already, from the information gleaned from Tecmo thus far, is that the game will definetely have Kasumi, Hayabusa, Ayane, Hayate and Raidou. I would have thought that Tecmo would only add more characters, rather than detracting any, as has been their modus operandi with the series.

A big question on my mind is what fighting mechanics and movesets will we see. While I have enjoyed the movesets in DoA4, I often find myself wishing for the clock to be turned back a few years, so that I could feel as connected to the flow of the combat as I did in DoA Ultimate and DoA3.1 (the Pal release of DoA3, which for some bizarre reason was more refined than the US version). What I find interesting is the choice to bring back Raidou (a boss I much prefer to Alpha or Tengu), because it has implications for the story and also timeline for this game. The last time Raidou was seen was DoAU, which was technically a remake of DoA2, in which he was only really an integral part of the story as part of flashback sequences, since he was killed by Kasumi at the end of the first DoA. His presence in this game, possibly even as a more integral character, could indicate that this game could be yet another remake of an old favourite. The presence of Hayate would indicate that this game could not be the first DoA, since Hayate is missing presumed dead and that plays a vital role in the motivation of the main characters and story. All indication points to this being a remake of either DoA2 or possibly even 3.

The stills revealed so far are reminiscent of the flashback sequences shown in DoA ultimate, where Hayate and Raidou face off. Both characters are then unlockable to play as, despite not being featured in the story mode (well, technically ... Ein). Although it will be a slight shame that the next DoA will be less of a step forward than hoped for, it will certainly be an interesting development, and a handheld purchase that I won't be missing.

Comments (3)

So I'm guessing no Christie?

Darn. Anyway, it is a bit of a shock to see DOA back in action on a handheld. It seems something like this would have been made for the PSP in its early launch release, but heck, it just good to see it is going back to the actual roots of the series, the fighting.

Fingers crossed she'll be there

Hopefully Tecmo will let us know what the roster will be like soon. They normally keep as many of their characters in the game as possible, especially their female ones. We may see Kokoro and Christie as playable even if they don't feature in the story mode. I have a suspicion that the lack of a DoA fighter on anything but the 360 was the doing of Tomonobu Itagaki, and that his departure from Team Ninja has allowed the franchise to expand cross-platform once again. I'm sure I'm not alone in my longing for a DoA5.

DOA

I'm also a fan of Dead or Alive fighting series and totally didn't see this announcement so thank you for the blog! I'm excited about the 3DS, that will be a day-1 purchase for me if I can get my hands on it!